Kazakhstan has National Preventive Mechanism of torture

Astana. May 16. Silkroadnews – KZT 200 mln is to be allocated to National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of torture from the state budget annually, as National Ombudsman on Human Rights, Askar Shakirov, informs.
He says law enforcement bodies are covered by NPM mandate. This includes penitentiary, defence, healthcare and education facilities. The list of organisations to be visited this year under the NPM mandate has already been compiled.
“National Preventative Mechanism is currently fully functional. Its practice indicates necessity of clear cooperation between public bodies and oversight over the laws being strictly followed. This is especially important as we are dealing with sensitive issues”, the ombudsman concluded.
Prosecutor’s General office data indicates that 55 criminal cases were filed in relation to torture in 2013. Criminal charges were pressed against 31 law enforcement professionals.